A SILVER, SILVER-GILT, GILT-BRONZE, HARDSTONES AND CORAL CENTER PIECE BY JACQUES FROMENT-MEURICE, LATE 19TH - EARLY 20TH CENTURY | A silver, silver-gilt, gilt-bronze, hardstones and coral center piece by Jacques Froment-Meurice, late 19th - early 20th century

rectangular form, on four feet, with a pierced gallery, body shaped as a casket inlaid with malachite, marble and amethyst, the top with a stag hunt with coral woods, signed Froment-Meurice

Froment-Meurice collection

Trésors d'argent, Les Froment-Meurice, orfèvres romantiques parisiens, Musée de la vie Romantique, Paris, 4 février-15 juin 2003

Collectif, Trésors d'argent, Les Froment-Meurice, orfèvres romantiques parisiens, cat. exp. Musée de la vie Romantique, ed. Paris Musées, cat. 116, p.217

The coral woods with some small parts broken and missing. At the left side, there is a gap between the setting and the marble element. Some scratches and dark spots in places. In overall good condition. Very attractive set.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

If one name is to be remembered to illustrate the 19th century precious metalsmith trade, Froment-Meurice is the one. During the July Monarchy, Froment-Meurice workshops experienced an unparalleled development. The Froment-Meurice family, jewelers, jewelry makers, goldsmiths since the end of the 18th century perfectly embodied the renewal of the decorative arts during the 19th century with the establishment of salons, universal expositions and various awards. They received medals throughout their prolific career which ended tragically one evening in April 1913 when the building where Emile Froment-Meurice (1937-1913) and all his family lived, collapsed.

Held or repurchased by the family, the presented objects (lots 146 to 149) in this sale affirm the talent of this dynasty of goldsmiths. Having a solid start into the new century thanks to François-Désiré "goldsmith par excellence of the Romantic School", the firm developed due to Emile. Emile Froment-Meurice's talent truly soars during the Universal Exposition of Paris in 1867, where archaeological and Neo Renaissance style jewelry were exhibited. Precious metalsmith pieces more luxurious than the others, such as the Imperial Prince's cradle presented in the Imperial Manufactory pavillon and not in the goldsmith's section confirms the company's expertise and fame. All critics unanimously praised the goldsmith's skill and declared that he had finally emerged from the shadow of his highly illustrious father.

Two years later in 1869, Emile was also appointed Chevalier of the Legion of Honour for his participation at the Universal Exposition. The Froment-Meurice company continued to receive numerous distinctions throughout Emile's career, which succeed via evolving his firm by adapting his production to his clientele's liking. His sons François and Jacques, although they worked with him, did not wish to take over the family business which was sold in 1907 to Georges Auger. The latter becomes the successor of the Froment-Meurice company and acquired the reproduction rights for the models, matrices and designs.

Jacques Froment-Meurice (1864-1948) made a career as a sculptor and engraver of medals. He is attributed as producing this table center (lot 146), realized in the family tradition and illustrates his talent as an animal sculptor.